richarle

Hello There,
I am looking to plan a trip for the end of May of next year. We have 10 nights. I'd really like to go to the Dordogne region and Basque Country. We are used to getting a lot done in one day. But, I don't want to be too rushed. I am just trying to make the most of our 10 nights. From what I have read/the time allowed, I put together the itinerary below.

Does this potential itinerary seem feasible? I fear I might be trying to do too much. Any suggestions? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Day 1 – Land in Paris/Take a flight to Toulouse and drive from Toulouse to Sarlat
Day 2 - Sarlat
Day 3 – Sarlat
Day 4 – Sarlat
Day 5 – Drive from Sarlat to Bordeaux and stay overnight in Bordeaux (I am not really that interested in seeing Bordeaux. But, it is on the way and I thought it might be a nice time to rest and eat at a great restaurant)
Day 6 - Drive from Bordeaux to St Jean De Luz and stay overnight in St. Jean de Luz
Day 7 - Drop off the car at St. Biarritz Airport. Take the bus to San Sebastian and stay overnight San Sebastian
Day 8 – San Sebastian
Day 9 – Flight to Barcelona and stay overnight (We've been to Barcelona before)
Day 10 – Barcelona

RonZ

Bordeaux south on the A63 is one of the most boring drives in France. A car is not needed in St-Jean-de-Luz. I suggest you dump the car in Bordeaux upon arrival, take a train down to St-Jean [ about 2 hours], and a bus from there to San Sebastian:

http://www.starshipper.com/en/schedu...cote-basque_11

richarle

Thanks! I will definitely do it that way. It makes a lot more sense.

Vonse

I think you're short-changing the Spanish Basque Country. I'd cut Barcelona since you've been there before, add the time to San Sebastian and fly out of Bilbao.

StuDudley

Or drive to Collonges la Rouge (1 hr 20 min), visit, then on to Brive la Gaillarde (30 min). Return the car and take the 13:04 train to St Jean that arrives at 17:50 - with a train change in Bordeaux.

>>Bordeaux...... I thought it might be a nice time to rest and eat at a great restaurant)...

After Bordeaux, you are heading to the "great restaurant" capital of both Spain & France, IMO.

Stu Dudley

StCirq

Both of the suggestions above are good.

You may not be that interested in seeing Bordeaux, but it is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2007 and a truly wonderful city. You might want to devote another night to it, but I wouldn't do it at the expense of time in the Dordogne.

You could also ditch the car in Sarlat and take the lovely train ride from there to Bordeaux. We do this all the time. It's cheap and relatively fast (faster than driving and a lot less hassle).

richarle

Thanks everyone for all of your advice! I am working on rearranging my itinerary a bit to get more time in Spanish Basque country, and less driving between Sarlat and St. Jean de Luz.